While the coaches compile their scouting reports, now seems
like an appropriate time to provide a brief introduction to these teams.

There will be much more in-depth analysis of these teams –
particularly the Big Ten opponents – closer to the season, and obviously the
week of the matchups. On Saturday, I looked at Rutgers' non-conference
opponents. Today, I'll check in with the first half of the Big Ten
schedule, and then I'll finish with the second half of the conference slate on
Monday.

PENN STATE (Sept. 13 at RU)

Fans are most familiar with new coach James Franklin. But
while Franklin stockpiles talent for the future, he'll inherit a roster that went
7-5 last season. There are 14 returning starters (seven offense/seven defense),
led by sophomore quarterback Christian Hackenberg. The Big Ten's freshman of
the year, Hackenberg completed 58.9 percent of his passes for 20 touchdowns and
10 interceptions last season.

The Nittany Lions also return Zach Zwinak and Bill Belton, who
combined to rush for 1,793 yards last season. There is a big void at receiver,
where star Allen Robinson (97 catches for 1,432 yards and six touchdowns) must
be replaced. A group of freshmen, which includes former Rutgers commit Saeed
Blacknall, will have a chance to step in immediately. There are bigger
questions with the thin, inexperienced offensive line, which allowed nine sacks
in the spring game.

Franklin and defensive coordinator Bob Shoop are still
ironing out their approach, contemplating either a 4-3 or a nickel base
defense. The strength of the unit should be up front, while the secondary is
expected to improve after ranking 73rd nationally in passing yards allowed last
season.

This is shaping up as the most anticipated game on the
schedule. And with it coming early in the season, it could go a long way in
setting the tone for Rutgers' fortunes.

MICHIGAN (Oct. 4 at RU)

The Wolverines return 16 starters (seven offense/nine
defense) from a squad that went a disappointing 7-6 last season, culminating in a loss to
Kansas State in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl. The offense is expected to get a
spark from new offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, who was
lured away from Alabama in the offseason. Nussmeier has some tools to work
with, led by athletic redshirt senior quarterback Devin Gardner. But the
offense will be without leading receiver Jeremy Gallon (89 catches for 1,373
yards and nine touchdowns last season), and the inexperienced line was shaky
this spring.

The front seven should be the strength
of the defense, with leading tackler James Ross III set to move to strong side
linebacker. The secondary should be fortified by the addition of cornerback
Jabrill Peppers, a five-star recruit from Paramus, N.J.

This game starts a brutal stretch for Rutgers, with four straight
clashes against Big Ten powers. A primetime game at High Point Solutions Stadium
should provide the Scarlet Knights with a raucous home-field advantage for this
matchup against a marquee opponent.

OHIO STATE (Oct. 18 at OSU)

To put expectations in perspective, the Buckeyes went 12-2
last season and it was considered a disappointment. That's because Ohio State
lost its final two games after a 24-game winning streak to start coach Urban
Meyer's tenure.

Only 12 starters (five offense, seven defense) return from
last season, but the Buckeyes simply reload. And with Heisman candidate Braxton
Miller back at quarterback, the offense should be able to compensate for the loss of
leading rusher Carlos Hyde. The offensive line will break in four new starters,
which should be a challenge.

The entire defensive line returns and the group has the
potential to dominate. Meyer held the starters out of the spring game because
the unit is so disruptive. Ohio State is counting on an improved secondary
after allowing 1,133 passing yards and 115 points in the final three games last
season.

This will be the Scarlet Knights' first Big Ten road game,
and they'll realize they're not in the AAC anymore when they step in front of
102,000 fans at The Horseshoe to face a team full of prized recruits.

NEBRASKA (Oct. 25 at NEB)

The road doesn't get any easier, as Rutgers follows the game
at Ohio State with a trip to Nebraska. The Cornhuskers went 9-4 last season,
the sixth consecutive year the team has finished with four losses under Bo
Pelini.

The Huskers return 13 starters (five offense, eight
defense), including senior running back Ameer Abdullah, who rushed for 1,690
yards and nine touchdowns last season. Quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. took
hold of the starting job this spring after completing 51.9 percent of his
passes for 966 yards, nine touchdowns and eight interceptions as a freshman.

The defense was in the middle of the pack in the Big Ten
last season. With so many returning pieces, led by defensive end Randy Gregory,
the unit is expected to be stronger this season. The transition by Nathan Gerry
to safety from linebacker should fortify the secondary.

This will be Rutgers' first game against a team from the Big
Ten West Division, and it promises to be a challenge facing an experienced
group in a stadium filled with 87,000 diehard Cornhuskers fans.